Earl L. Garrels

EARL L. GARRELS

Danville

Earl L. Garrels, 91, of Danville, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Savannah Heights in Mount Pleasant. He was born Feb. 10, 1928, in Burlington to Lester V. and Ethel Grace Filson Garrels. On Aug. 8, 1948, he married Doris M. McNeeley in Mount Pleasant.

Mr. Garrels was a 1946 graduate of New London High School and a member of Long Creek United Methodist Church. He began his career at Mason Hangar in construction and retired as production superintendent on Line One in 1990.

Earl and Doris loved traveling to all fifty states in their 5th wheel, and enjoyed traveling to Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean. For 25 years, they wintered in Sebring, Fla.

He was always a good friend and helper to others, but it was hard for him to accept help.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four children, Cheryl (Jerry) Hite, and Kenneth (Sandy) Garrels of Danville, John (Sue) Garrels, of Fort Madison and Karen (Darrell) Becker of West Point; daughter-in-law, Cindy Garrels of Wever; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; sister, Beverly Gosselink of Runnells, Iowa; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, David; grandson, Travis Hite; brother, Robert "Bobby" Garrels; and sister, Betty Lou Kuntz.

The funeral service for Earl Garrels will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Chapel in New London, with Pastor David Mixon officiating. Visitation will begin at

9 a.m. with the family greeting friends from 12:30 until the time of the service.

Burial will follow in Long Creek Cemetery.

Memorials for Long Creek United Methodist Church and Every Step Hospice have been established in his memory.

Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.